Although media has set tsunami aside from its spotlight, the world has not yet called a halt upon the assistance given in order to rebuild the devastated countries. One of them came from Clay Aiken, the US goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. He visited the Indonesian devastated province, Aceh, on March 14-16.
"My purpose of coming here is to ensure that the aid given from the USA have been used correctly," said he during an interview in Aceh as translated from here.
So far, UNICEF has been distributing 4100 school-in-a-box tools; 1,700 packages of games for about 250,000 children in Aceh; and is also helping in sending in 200 teachers to Aceh up to the next six months.
Clay did not only sing (he learned quickly to sing a children's song in Indonesian) to the children, but he also showed empathy toward them as he accompanied those who had therapy to sweep away their trauma over water. "I used to be a teacher in a school for disabled kids," he explained.
You can check other pictures here.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Ayu
I wonder wether those poor kids would ever buy Clay's albums. I'm not a fan of him, but that was nice of him. Oh and my husband said he looks like Bill Gates on that picture :-)
2 - linda
Clay is the type of person who would give the children his albums should they ask. Clay is a good humanitarian as seen through his work for children with disabilites. Uniceff chose well having Clay represent them.
3 - Ayu
I believe you, Linda. He seemed to be very down to earth as far as I could see.
4 - Dianne Melton
Clay Aiken is an extremely talented and versatile artist with a beautifully pure and powerful voice. Clay is known as a very intelligent and articulate man, who excudes witt, charm and personality, great stage presence. However, more importantly, Clay Aiken is a young man who possesses a genuine selfless spirit and a heart full of unconditional love for everyone, but especially for children. This has been evidenced in the formation of the Bubel/Aiken Foundation whose purpose is the inclusion of all children with special abilities/development disabilities into society, alongside those children who do have have disabilities. He is a man of strong faith, integrity and convictions whose desire is to "make a difference in this world" for the children, all children. God bless you Clay for your dedication, loyalty, love and commitment.
5 - Eric Olsen
another feather for St. Clay - seriously, he seems like a very sincere, great guy
6 - Den
As far as Clay is concerned, his work as an ambassador has nothing to do with his career as a recording artist. He did not go to Aceh to promote his album but to represent UNICEF and to help those who have been left devastated in the aftermath of the Tsunami. Hence, it would make no difference to Clay if these children would or would not buy his cds.
Clay is a man who has used his fame to acquire a bigger platform to advocate for children with additional needs and to serve children around the world.
It is to the credit of UNICEF to recognise that Clay is able to represent UNICEF and to contribute to the work of UNICEF.
I am proud to be a fan of Clay. I am proud of Clay for his selflessness, and his desire to change the world for the better.
For that, I say "thank you Clay for being the man that you are".
7 - Ayu
I am fully aware that he was not promoting his albums while visiting Aceh, that is why I posted this piece on Culture instead of Music. And about my asking whether those kids could buy his albums have nothing to do with personal sentiments against him. What I meant is that those kids are so poor that they can't buy a cassette (CD is far more expensive there)which is only 2 USD. Oh and I wouldn't write about this if I disliked his manner in this case...these were the children of my homeland whom he was helping.
8 - Maylon
I am so proud to be a fan of Clay, he is what we need in this world to day, someone that is definitely a role model for young and old.UNICEF should be commended for chosing, someone like Clay. He also has the most amazing voice, cant get enough of it. God Bless Clay, you are in my prays every day, your fan from Cape Town, South Africa.
9 - Cezanne
Clay is one of rare personage whom walk the walk, talk the talk, and remain staunch in their faith while backing up their actions with soulful humility. Eventhough he's in a position where some become vain and self-serving, he instead, sees his good fortune as an adventagious way to offer aid, and hope for the better in their lives for the days ahead. I want him to know he is loved, and is a source of pride for humanity.
10 - Sam
I'm not a huge fan of Aiken, but the more I see of him in situations like this, the more I am open to becoming one. He certainly is one of the good guys among the pack of mostly worthless celebs. Probably because he was a teacher first. I might even buy his next album if it's more rockin'!
11 - codybear
Clay Aiken is truly a humanitarian. Yes, he is a young, nice-looking, American celeb, who actually has great singing ablility, BUT as I have followed his career, I am amazed at the sincerity his actions convey about his passion for children in need.
I had the priviledge of hearing him speak to a group of educators about children with "abilities" different from normal and eloquently spoke to how the only ones with "disabilities" are those who do not understand that each has much to offer to the other.
I admit, I was there asa fan, BUT I LEFT AS A BELIEVER NOT ONLY IN INCLUSION, BUT AS A BELIEVER IN CLAY AIKEN AS AN INCREDIBLE HUMANITARIAN.
BTW, I also hope his next album ROCKS.
cb
12 - Jenna O'Walley
I think how some give money and that is very important but there are always others who are just a little braver, have just alittle more drive and they are the acheivers in life. Mr. Aiken seems not just be a person who is just a singer, he seems to be a person who is an all around human being. A man with a Good, Strong Foundation. It's takes a lot just to volunteer but to be a leader. This man, seems NOT to be afraid of any situation and will lead others to get these schools built and school supplies flowing. I'm happy their is another celebrity ready to lead the charge when
the world needs help. I'm glad Mr. Aiken has stepped forward!
13 - Jess
I am always exciting to read about Clay's Humanitarian tour. Everyday I open my computer, not to check my e-mails first but instead, check the development of his mission.The more I read about it, the more I feel more proud to be a male fan of Clay. I found him sincere to what he is doing now. Yes, I hope his next CD is going to be a platinum again. I'm proud of you Clay.
14 - satscout
Remember, Clay is NOT a singer or "idol" first. He is a teacher who happens to have a gorgeous voice. As a man in a spotlight, he has chosen to shine his light where it will do as much good as possible.
That said... I too eagerly await his next CD... (MOAM on continuous repeat in the background)... *grin*
15 - Kacy4Clay
Thank you for a very nice article; concise yet informative. Yes, Clay taught children with special needs, and according to his own teachers, he was very good. Fox's AI2 video of "Clay's Hometown Tour" shows how much his students love him -- that was when I realized what a truly good person he is (kids just don't love that much, otherwise!) Since then, I've also had the privilege of hearing him speak, and his eloquence changed, for the better, my perception of and attitude toward other people -- ALL people, not just those with different abilities.
Btw, about your CD comment, I was suprised and pleased to read on his fan boards that he has a sizeable fan base in Indonesia. Maybe they use radios and TVs, rather than expensive CDs?
16 - clayaikenrulez1
Clay Aiken is my favorite male singer and male entertainer and male celebrity and humanitarian. Clay Aiken is the greatest and the best male musical artist ever!!! Clay Aiken Rules!!!
17 - Ayu
Kacy4Clay, I read on an Indonesian newspaper that Clay was even surprised to know that he was known in Indonesia. I can understand that though.
Despite of the poor tsunami victims, there are other provinces in Indonesia which are luckier. Indonesia consists of more than 13,000 islands with more than 200 millions population. With the help of MTV and radios as you said, it's not impossible for Clay to be famous there, although people never watched American Idol. Just for information, the last time I was in Indonesia (2003) a CD costed 5 USD, and it was considered to be very expensive there.
18 - James
I am in awe of this guy. He truly is using his celebrity to help others. The look on his face in the picture shows his happiness at being where he is and contributing what he can to help these devastated children. It warms my heart to see the smiles on the childrens faces. I hope he can continue to bring awareness and relief so that there can be some semblance on normality brought back to their lives. I say thank you to Unicef for allowing Clay the opportunity and thank you Clay for sharing your heart with the world. Can't wait for his next CD. James
19 - Joe Mama
Jesus Christ, why don't we just canonize him right now?
You Faikens need to relax. This guy will be out of the business in 2 years thankfully. And he's not such a "nice guy" either. He's a fucking asshole.
Check out this story of what a "nice guy" Clay Aiken is. Spend about 5 minutes googling "Clay Aiken asshole" or "Clay Aiken rude". You could blow a whole day doing that.
Bottom line--the guy is a stuck up prick with a voice meant for high school productions of Bye Bye Birdie. That's about it.
Commence yelling.
20 - Joe Mama
If you don't believe Gawker, perhaps you'll buy it from the Philadelphia Inquirer, hardly the place for tabloid fodder.
BTW--Clay Aiken is not only a sanctimonious asshole, he also sings like shit.
21 - Victor Plenty
Can't canonize him yet. Before anyone can get canonized, they must first go through the process of beatification.
And before anyone can get beatified, they must be deceased.
So it'll be quite some time before we can canonize Mr. Aiken.
Reference source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonization
22 - Joe Mama
Don't tell that to the Faikens. They want it NOW!!!!
23 - Victor Plenty
I'm telling it to you, the only one to mention canonizing.
24 - Ayu
Well, well, then I guess nobody's perfect.
25 - Joe Mama
Victor--I sense some anger in your tone, sir. Not sure if you've ever exaggerated for the sake of making a point. That's what I was doing. I'll be sure to let you know going forward when I am being literal and when I am not.